Fluorometric detection of copper and imidacloprid using nitrogen-doped graphitic carbon dots: A promising method for environmental monitoring.

Pesticides in environmental samples pose significant risks to ecosystems and human health since they require precise and efficient detection methods. Imidacloprid (IMI), a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide, exemplifies these hazards due to its potential toxicity. This study addresses the urgent need for improved monitoring of such contaminants by introducing a novel fluorometric method for detecting IMI using nitrogen-doped graphite carbon dots (N-GCDs). The sensor operates by quenching fluorescence through the interaction of Cu2+ ions with N-GCDs. Subsequently, IMI binds to the imidazole group, chelates with Cu2+, and restores the fluorescence of N-GCDs. This alternating fluorescence behavior allows for the accurate identification of both Cu2+ and IMI. The sensor exhibits linear detection ranges of 20-100 nM for Cu2+ and 10-140 µg/L for IMI, with detection limits of 18 nM and 1.2 µg/L, respectively. The high sensitivity of this sensor enables the detection of real-world samples, which underscores its potential for practical use in environmental monitoring and agricultural safety.

Green Chemical Synthesis of N-Cholyl-L-Cysteine Encapsulated Gold Nanoclusters for Fluorometric Detection of Mercury Ions.

Herein we report a simple, single-step, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and biocompatible approach using sodium salt of N-cholyl-L-cysteine (NaCysC) capped gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) with green emission properties at above the CMC in aqueous medium under UV-light irradiation. The primary and secondary CMC of NaCysC was found to be 4.6 and 10.7 mM respectively using pyrene as fluorescent probe. The synthesized AuNCs exhibit strong emission maxima at 520 nm upon excitation at 375 nm with a large Stokes shift of 145 nm. The surface functionality and morphology of NCs are studied by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dymanic light scattering studies and transmission electron microscopy. The formation of AuNCs was completed within 5 h and exhibit high stability for more than 6 months. The NaCysC templated AuNCs selectively quenches the Hg2+ ions with higher sensitivity in aqueous solution over the other metal ions. The fluorescence analysis of Hg2+ showed a wide linear range from 15 to 120 µM and a detection limit was found to be 15 nM.

Multiple amplification-based fluorometric aptasensor for highly sensitive detection of Staphylococcus aureus.

Rapid and accurate detection and identification of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are of great significance for food safety, environmental monitoring, early clinical diagnosis, and prevention of the spread of drug-resistant bacteria. Herein, we design a fluorometric aptasensor for ultra-sensitive, specific, and rapid detection of S. aureus. The apasensor combines the enrichment and separation of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), the biotin-streptavidin conjugation system, and a single S. aureus can release four signaling probes for signal amplification. Aptamer acts as a specific biorecognition element of S. aureus. Four FAM-labeled partially complementary sequences (FAM-pcDNAs) were used as signaling probes. The aptamers were sequential hybridized with the four FAM-pcDNAs to form aptamer&pcDNAs, which were then bound to MNPs via the biotin-streptavidin. When the aptamer specifically recognizes and binds to S. aureus, the FAM-pcDNAs signaling probes are replaced and released into the supernatant. The concentration of S. aureus can be quantified by measuring the fluorescence intensity (λexc/em = 492/520 nm) of the replaced signaling probe FAM-pcDNAs. The results show that the proposed fluorometric aptasensor displays good specificity, ultra-high sensitivity (1.23 cfu/mL), wide linear range (1 ~ 108 cfu/mL), and fast detection speed (~ 1.5 h). The recovery test verifies further that the proposed fluorometric aptasensor can detect S. aureus in spiked blood samples. Since aptamers are easy to customize, we believe that fluorometric aptasensors based on multiple amplification have broad prospects in the construction of practical high-performance biosensors for bacterial detection. KEY POINTS: • Multiple amplification-based fluorometric aptasensor for S. aureus is developed • The aptasensor displays high specificity with a LOD of 1.23 CFU/mL • The aptasensor can directly detect S. aureus in spiked blood samples.

A novel spectrofluorimetric method based on a reaction with an azoisoxazoles-benzenesulfonamide derivative for determination of uranium (VI) ions in water samples.

Selective fluorometric detection and determination of uranium ions is provided here using a novel fluorescent reagent, namely (E)-4-([4-hydroxynaphthalen-1-yl]diazenyl)-N-(5-methyleisoxazol-3-yl) benzenesulfonamide (UVI reagent). The UVI reagent offers a selective fluorescence enhancement behaviour at emission wavelength = 557 nm. The parameters affecting fluorometric detection of uranium ions, such as the pH, solvent type, ligand concentration, interaction time, and interfering ions, were investigated and adjusted. The proposed UVI reagent can detect and determine uranium ions even at low concentrations, for which the obtained limit of detection was 0.1 ppm. Additionally, this proposed determination protocol was successfully used to detect, monitor, and determine uranium ions in actual water samples.

Recombinant organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) expression in E. coli for the effective detection of organophosphate pesticides.

Accumulation and exposure of organophosphate pesticides are of great concern today owing to their abundant usage and potential health hazards. Harmful effects of organophosphate pesticide exposure and limitations of the available treatment methods necessitate the development of reliable, selective, cost-effective, and sensitive methods of detection. We developed a novel biosensor based on the enzymatic action of recombinant organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) expressed in E. coli. We report the development of colorimetric biosensors made of His-Nus-OPH as well as His-Nus-OPH loaded alginate microspheres. The colorimetric detection method developed using solution-phase and alginate-encapsulated His-Nus-OPH exhibited detection limits of 0.045 and 0.039 mM, respectively, for ethyl paraoxon, and 0.101 and 0.049 mM, respectively, for methyl parathion. Additionally, fluorescence measurement using pH-sensitive fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was used to sense the quantity of organophosphorus pesticides. The fluorometric detection method using solution-phase His-Nus-OPH, with ethyl paraoxon and methyl parathion as the substrate, reveals the lower limit of detection as 0.014 mM and 0.044 mM, respectively. Our results demonstrate the viability of His-Nus-OPH for OP detection with good sensitivity, LOD, and linear range. We report the first use of N-terminal His-NusA-tagged OPH, which enhances solubility significantly and presents a significant advance for the scientific community.

11-Mercaptoundecanoic acid capped gold nanoclusters with unusual aggregation-enhanced emission for selective fluorometric hydrogen sulfide determination.

In present study, we discovered unusual solvent-mediated aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE) character of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid capped gold nanoclusters (MUA-Au NCs). When aggregated in aqueous media, the MUA-Au NCs showed strong emission, which was weakened by adding ethanol. Interestingly, the suppressed emission was selectively enhanced in the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) because H2S was absorbed onto Au NCs through the strong sulfur-gold bonding affinity. The hydrolyzed H2S, namely, HS-, made the Au NCs negatively charged, which aggregated again due to decreased solubility. The H2S-mediated fluorescence enhancement can be further amplified by introducing a hydrophilic thiolate (glutathione, GSH) onto the surface of Au NCs (GSH/MUA-Au NCs), which enabled sensitive determination of H2S. Under the optimized condition, a detection limit of 35 nM was achieved. The determination was not interfered by other anions such as F-, Cl-, Br-, I-, OAc-, N3-, NO3-, HCO3-, SCN-, SO32-, and SO42-. This excellent sensing performance allowed practical application of the GSH/MUA-Au NC-based sensing platform to accurate determination of H2S in human serum samples. Graphical abstractUnusual aggregation-enhanced emission character of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid capped gold nanoclusters is discovered and has been applied for fluorometric hydrogen sulfide detection.

Boronic acid-modified polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes on polydopamine-coated magnetized graphene oxide for selective and high-capacity extraction of the catecholamines epinephrine, dopamine and isoprenaline.

Amino-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS-8NH2) were covalently bound to the surface of polydopamine-coated magnetized graphene oxide. It was then reacted with 4-formylphenylboronic acid to prepare a "cubic boronic acid"-bonded magnetic graphene oxide adsorbent. The new adsorbent exhibits better selectivity and much higher adsorption capacity for ortho-phenols over adsorbents where small boronic ligands are directly bound to the surface of the material. It is shown to enable selective and faster enrichment of the catecholamines epinephrine (EP), dopamine (DA) and isoprenaline (IP) with high selectivity over many potential interferents that can occur in urine. The analytes were then quantified by HPLC with fluorometric detection. Under optimal conditions, response is linear (R2 ≥ 0.9907), limits of detection are low (0.54-2.3 ng·mL-1), and reproducibility is acceptable (inter- and intra-day assay RSDs of≤10.9%). The method was successfully applied to the determination of endogenous EP and DA and exogenous IP in urine samples. Graphical abstractSchematic of boronic acid (BA)-modified polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) on polydopamine-coated magnetized graphene oxide (magGO). The material (magGO@POSS-BA) has good selectivity and higher adsorption capacity to ortho-phenols and can be applied to enrich the catecholamines in urine.

A hybrid material composed of guanine-rich single stranded DNA and cobalt(III) oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) nanosheets as a fluorescent probe for ascorbic acid via formation of a complex between G-quadruplex and thioflavin T.

A hybrid material composed of guanine-rich single stranded DNA (G-rich ssDNA) and cobalt oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) nanosheets is used as a nanoprobe for fluorometric turn-on detection of ascorbic acid (AA). The CoOOH nanosheets function as a recognition component for AA. The G-rich ssDNA is used to produce a G-quadruplex, and the G-quadruplex/thioflavin T (ThT) complex acts as a fluorescent reporter. In the absence of AA, p-phenylenediamine (PPD) is oxidized to form oxPPD which has a dark red color. It causes the fluorescence of the G-quadruplex/ThT complex to be quenched. However, in the presence of AA, the CoOOH nanosheets of the nanoprobe are preferentially reduced by AA. Hence, PPD is not oxidized, and fluorescence is not quenched. A fluorometric turn-on method was developed based on these findings. It has a detection limit of 94 nM and works in the concentration range from 1 to 10 and 20 to 80 µM. This method was applied to the determination of AA in (spiked) fruit juice samples. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of a fluorescent assay of ascorbic acid (AA) is established using a nanoprobe composed of guanine-rich single stranded DNA (G-rich ssDNA) and cobalt oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) nanosheets. It is based on competitive reduction of CoOOH by p-phenylenediamine (PPD) and AA. Thioflavine T (ThT) induces the formation of fluorescent G-quadruplex/ThT complex. The oxidized form of PPD (oxPPD) can quench the fluorescence via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), but AA suppresses quenching.

Fluorometric detection of sulfate-reducing bacteria via the aggregation-induced emission of glutathione-gold(I) complexes.

It is reported that gold(I)-thiolate complexes can display aggregation-induced emission (AIE) similar to organic fluorogens. On addition of lead(II) to glutathione-gold(I) complexes, a supermolecular structure of type GSH-Au(I)-Pb(II) is formed through strong coordination between Pb(II) and GSH. Its fluorescence is quenched by sulfide due to the formation of PbS which destroys the GSH-Au(I)-Pb(II) complex. The finding was used to design a method for fluorometric detection of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) which produce sulfide. The time needed to reduce fluorescence to 10% of its initial intensity linearly dependent on the logarithm of the SRB concentrations in the ranging from 10 to 1 × 10^7 cfu mL-1. The assay time is also reduced down to 4 days even if the SRB concentration is as low as 10 cfu mL-1. Graphical abstract Schematic presentation of aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-active GSH-Au(I) complexes based fluorescence detection of SRB. The GSH-Au(I) complexes turn into aggregation and display strong emissive property in the presence of Pb2+. Then the fluorescence of GSH-Au(I)-Pb(II) complexes can be quenched by S2- generated by SRB.

Sensor array based on single carbon quantum dot for fluorometric differentiation of all natural amino acids.

A sensor array is described that consists of a carbon quantum dot (CQD) and metal ions, including Hg2+, Cu2+, Fe3+, Ag+, Cd2+, and Pb2+. The CQDs display blue fluorescence with excitation/emission maxima at 370/440 nm. It is shown that the array can be applied to the determination of all natural amino acids (NAAs). Metal ions can quench the fluorescence of the CQDs, while NAAs can take metal ions away or co-bind to the CQD@metal-ion complex, which enhances or depresses the fluorescence of the CQDs. Based on the differential fluorescence variation, the CQD@metal-ion@NAA array exhibits a unique pattern for NAAs. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were carried out to generate visualized datagrams for NAA discrimination. The design and construction of the sensor array is convenient and economical. The sensor array can distinguish NAAs at a concentration of as low as 30 µM, and can distinguish NAAs into acidic, neutral and basic NAAs. Semi-quantitative assay of alanine and threonine was also realized. Based on the low limit of detection and multi-NAA detection capability, the array can differentiate healthy cases from acute leukemia, chronic leukemia and lymphoma by analyzing the NAA status of serum samples. Graphical abstractSchematic representation of a fluorometric (FL) sensor array based on single CQD (carbon quantum dot) interacting with metal ions for differentiating all NAAs (natural amino acids) into acidic, neutral and basic NAAs (ANs, NNs and BNs) through PCA (principle component analysis).

Multiplexed determination of intracellular messenger RNA by using a graphene oxide nanoprobe modified with target-recognizing fluorescent oligonucleotides.

A multiplexed graphene oxide (GO) fluorescent nanoprobe is described for quantification and imaging of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in living cells. The recognizing oligonucleotides (with sequences complementary to those of target mRNAs) were labeled with different fluorescent dyes. If adsorbed on GO, the fluorescence of the recognizing oligonucleotides is quenched. After having penetrated living cells, the oligonucleotides bind to target mRNAs and dissociate from GO. This leads to the recovery of fluorescence. Using different fluorescent dyes, various intracellular mRNAs can be simultaneously imaged and quantified by a high content analysis within a short period of time. Actin mRNA acts as the internal control. This GO-based nanoprobe allows mRNA mimics to be determined within an analytical range from 1 to 400 nM and a detection limit as low as 0.26 nM. Up to 3 intracellular mRNAs (C-myc, TK1, and actin) can be detected simultaneously in a single living cell. Hence, this nanoprobe enables specific distinction of intracellular mRNA expression levels in cancerous and normal cells. It can be potentially applied as a tool for detection of cancer progression and diagnosis. Graphical abstract A multiplexed graphene oxide (GO)-based fluorescent nanoprobe is described for quantification and imaging of intracellular messenger RNAs. After penetrating living cells, the recovered fluorescence of the dissociated recognizing oligonucleotides can be analyzed , and this allows for simultaneous detection of up to 3 intracellular messenger RNAs.

MoS2 nanosheets with peroxidase mimicking activity as viable dual-mode optical probes for determination and imaging of intracellular hydrogen peroxide.

The authors describe a dual-mode (colorimetric-fluorometric) nanoprobe for H2O2 that was fabricated by covering molybdenum disulfide nanosheets (MoS2 NS) with ortho-phenylenediamine (OPD). The probe (OPD-MoS2 NS) was applied to the optical determination of H2O2, to the quantitation of cell numbers, and to the detection of intracellular concentrations of H2O2. Oxidation by H2O2 leads to a colored and fluorescent product (oxidized OPD) with absorption/excitation/fluorescence peaks at 450/450/557 nm. The nanoprobe can detect H2O2 in down to 500 nM concentrations, and HeLa cells at levels of 100 cells mL-1. The detection limit for intracellular H2O2 is in the 5.5 to 12.6 µM concentration range when the method is applied to cells at levels of 102-106 cells mL-1. Due to its good biocompatibility and easy cell uptake, the nanoprobe also permits sensitive fluorometric imaging of intracellular H2O2. It can also comparatively discriminate the change of intracellular oxidation state in living cancerous and normal cells. Graphical abstract Editor, we provided image with high resolution. Please find it in a folder name "MIAC-D-18-00081" in the FTP site. A dual-mode (colorimetric-fluorometric) detection nanoplatform based on OPD-modified MoS2 nanosheets is used to quantitatively detect H2O2, cell numbers and intracellular H2O2. The MoS2 nanoprobes also permit sensitive fluorescence imaging of intracellular H2O2, and can discriminate intracellular oxide states in living cancerous and normal cells.

A Microfluidic DNA Sensor Based on Three-Dimensional (3D) Hierarchical MoS2/Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites.

In this work, we present a novel microfluidic biosensor for sensitive fluorescence detection of DNA based on 3D architectural MoS2/multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites. The proposed platform exhibits a high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability with a visible manner and operation simplicity. The excellent fluorescence quenching stability of a MoS2/MWCNT aqueous solution coupled with microfluidics will greatly simplify experimental steps and reduce time for large-scale DNA detection.

Novel ultra-sensitive and highly selective cyanine sensors based on solvent-free microwave synthesis for the detection of trace hypochlorite ions in drinking water.

The adoption of chlorine in drinking water disinfection with the determination of residual chlorine in the form of hypochlorite ion (ClO-) is in widespread demand. Several sensors including colorimetric, fluorometric, and electrochemical methods are currently in use, but detection limits and ease of application remain a challenge. In this work, two new cyanine derivatives-based ClO- sensors, that were prepared by solvent-free microwave synthesis, are reported. The two sensors are highly sensitive and selective to ClO-, exhibiting a noticeable color change visible to the naked eye. Additionally, the sensors can detect ClO- without interference from other potential water pollutants, with low detection limits of 7.43 ppb and 0.917 ppb based on absorption performance. When using fluorometric methods, the sensors' detection limits are pushed down to 0.025 ppb and 0.598 ppb for sensors I and II, respectively. The sensors can be loaded with paper strips for field and domestic detection of ClO- in tap water treatment installations. Using the quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique, these sensors showed strong detection sensitivity to ClO-, with detection limits of 0.256 ppm and 0.09 ppm for sensors I and II, respectively. Quantum chemical studies using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, molecular electrostatic potential (MESP), and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) supported the findings. The sensing mechanism is rationalized in terms of radical cation formation upon ClO- oxidation of cyanine sensors I and II.

Stir membrane liquid-phase microextraction based on milk fats hydrolysis and deep eutectic solvent formation: Determination of bisphenols.

In this paper, a stir membrane liquid-phase microextraction approach based on milk fats hydrolysis and in situ deep eutectic solvent formation was developed for the first time. The approach was applied to clean-up and preconcentrate bisphenols from milk samples. The procedure assumed alkaline hydrolysis of samples fats to obtain water-soluble salts of fatty acids that acted as precursors for the deep eutectic solvent formation. A stir membrane disk impregnated with menthol was placed into the sample solution. The formation of microdroplets of the hydrophobic fatty acids was observed under sample acidification. Collection of the extract phase on the disk was based on deep eutectic solvent formation. Under optimal conditions, the RSD was < 6 %, limits of detection for bisphenols were 0.3-0.5 µg kg-1. The extraction recoveries were in the range of 95-97 %, which indicated the excellent capability of the developed approach to extract hydrophobic analytes from complex matrices.

A CuII -Salicylidene Glycinato Complex for the Selective Fluorometric Detection of Homocysteine over 20 Proteinogenic Amino Acids.

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulfur-containing α-amino acid that differs by one methylene (CH2 ) subunit from homologous cysteine (Cys). Elevated levels of Hcy are diagnostic markers of cardiovascular disease and other medical conditions. We present a new CuII -salicylidene glycinato complex 1 for the selective fluorometric detection of Hcy in water. In the presence of this analyte, the non-fluorescent copper-complex demetallates and disassembles into its building blocks. This process liberates a 3-chloro-5-sulfosalicylaldehyde signaling unit and is accompanied by a 51-fold turn-on fluorescence at 485 nm (λex =350 nm). Out of twenty proteinogenic amino acids, only histidine (12-fold turn-on fluorescence) and Cys (8-fold turn-on fluorescence) trigger some disassembly of probe 1. In comparison with important pioneering work on the detection of biothiols, this study strikingly demonstrates that structural modifications of chelate core structures steer substrate selectivity of metal-based probes. Importantly, probe 1 has proven suitable for the detection of Hcy in artificial urine.

Glutathione modulated fluorescence quenching of sulfur quantum dots by Cu2O nanoparticles for sensitive assay.

Sulfur quantum dots (S-dots) show great potential for applications in various field, due to their favorable biocompatibility, high stability, and antibacterial properties. However, the use of S-dots in chemical sensing is limited by the lack of functional groups on the surface. In this work, a fluorescence glutathione (GSH) assay is developed based on the GSH modulated quenching effect of Cu2O nanoparticles (NP) on S-dots. The fluorescence of S-dots is effectively quenched after forming complex with Cu2O NP through a static quenching effect (SQE). Introducing of GSH can trigger the decomposition of Cu2O NP into GSH-Cu(I) complex, which leads to the weaken of SQE and the partial recover of the fluorescence. The intensity of recovered fluorescence shows a positive correlation with the concentration of GSH in the concentration range of 20 to 500 µM. The fluorescence GSH assay shows excellent selectivity and robustness towards various interferences and high concentration salt, which endow the successful detection of GSH in human blood sample. The presented results provide a new door for the design of fluorescence assays, which also provides a platform for the applications in nanomedicine and environmental science.

A sensitive colori/fluorimetric nanoprobe for detection of polyphenols using peroxidase-mimic plasma-modified MoO3 nanoparticles.

Herein, MoO3 nanoparticles were synthesized and modified using Argon cold plasma treatment (Ar-MoO3NPs) for the first time. Various characterization studies were performed using various methods, including SEM, XRD, and FTIR techniques. The catalytic activity of MoO3NPs before and after modification was investigated using fluorometric and colorimetric experiments. The results indicated that the enzyme-mimic activity of MoO3NPs increased after plasma-surface modification (1.5 fold). Also, a fluorometric method based on the oxidation of a non-fluorescent terephthalic acid by Ar-MoO3NPs in the presence of H2O2 and the production of a compound with a high emission was designed for polyphenols detection. Quercetin was used as a polyphenol standard for the optimization of the proposed system. Under the optimum conditions, the dynamic ranges of the calibration graphs and the detection limits were calculated for different polyphenols (µmol/L): quercetin (2-232, 12.22), resveratrol (2-270, 61.89), curcumin (39-400, 38.89), gallic acid (2-309, 21.5) and ellagic acid (39-309, 16.25). Also, the precision of the method, which was expressed as RSD%, was in the range of 0.286-1.19%. The proposed system could detect individual polyphenols and total polyphenols in three different fruit extracts (apple, orange, and grapes) with high sensitivity. The obtained total concentrations of polyphenols in real samples were comparable to those calculated by the spectrophotometric method. So, a novel and sensitive optical nanosensor for the detection of polyphenols was reported as an alternative to the routine Folin-Ciocalteu spectrophotometric technique.

Bifunctional Mn-Doped N-Rich Carbon Dots with Tunable Photoluminescence and Oxidase-Mimetic Activity Enabling Bimodal Ratiometric Colorimetric/Fluorometric Detection of Nitrite.

Multimodal detection is a promising paradigm because of its advantages of expanding usage scenarios and improving reliability. However, it is very challenging to design reasonable strategies to achieve the multimodal sensing of targets. Herein, we developed an unprecedented bimodal ratiometric colorimetric/fluorometric method by exploring a novel bifunctional artificial oxidase mimic, Mn-doped N-rich carbon dots (Mn-CDs), to achieve the high-performance determination of nitrite in complicated matrices. The Mn-CDs exhibited both tunable photoluminescence and high oxidase-like activity, effectively catalyzing the colorless 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation to generate blue TMB+. When nitrite was introduced, the TMB+ species generated would specifically react with nitrite to produce diazotized TMB+, resulting in a color change from blue to green and finally to yellow. Simultaneously, the fluorescence of Mn-CDs was quenched by the diazotized TMB+ product via the inner filter effect. Hence, the existence of nitrite could lead to the simultaneous variations of visual color and photoluminescence, providing the principal basis for the bimodal ratiometric colorimetric/fluorometric quantification of the target. With the method, excellent sensitivity, selectivity, reliability, and practicability for nitrite detection were verified. Our work proposes a new bimodal strategy for nitrite measurement using bifunctional CDs-based enzyme mimics, which will inspire future effort on the exploration of promising multifunctional nanozymes and their advanced applications in biochemical sensing.

Rapid synthesis of microwave-assisted zinc oxide nanorods on a paper-based analytical device for fluorometric detection of l-dopa.

l-dopa is a catecholamine neurotransmitter used to treat Parkinson's disease. This paper presents a low-cost paper-based biosensor aimed at enhancing the convenience of monitoring l-dopa concentrations. ZnO nanorods (ZnO-NRs) were synthesized on papers in less than 90 min using a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. The ZnO-NRs amplify green fluorescence signals to enhance the detection sensitivity of l-dopa, best measured at excitation/emission wavelengths of 475/537 nm. We systematically characterized the effect of reaction conditions on the corresponding fluorescence enhancements. The proposed ZnO NRs-paper biosensor presented a ∼3-fold increase in green fluorescence compared to unmodified papers. The linear range of detection for l-dopa was 25-2000 nM, with a limit of detection of 24 nM, which meets the clinical requirements for the monitoring of l-dopa in Parkinson's patients.